THE 144,000 "For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?" (Rom 11:24). -- Tomorrow: A
Devotion 9 of 26
Lest we Gentiles become wise in our own conceits, "SOME of the branches" were broken off the Jewish olive tree, not all of them (verse 17). Yet, even in the casting away of "some of the branches," the reconciliation of the world was accomplished. "For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?" (Rom 11:15). Who but God can do such wondrous things? And there is more to come!
First, the 144,000 are mentioned because they represent the olive tree into which we Gentiles have been grafted. It is their root that carries us, and not ours that carries them. As it is written, "remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you" (Rom 11:18, NKJV). Thus we see the ancient people, with whom the New Covenant was made, together with all that have come into that covenant through Jesus. In this case, the full olive tree stands for the whole (all of the redeemed, both Jews and Gentiles). It was the Jew's tree, and the Gentiles were grafted into it.
A PRECURSOR TO REVIVAL
Our introduction to the conversion of Israel is in the seventh chapter of the Revelation. Following their sealing, a great multitude which no man could number was seen. They were from "all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues" (7:9), and stood before the Lamb. The turning of Israel, therefore, is seen as inducting a great harvest of souls. This coincides with the Spirit's depiction of a global awakening at the turning of ungodliness away from Jacob (Rom 11:12,15).
In a most glorious depiction of this, Isaiah wrote of a time when God's light would rise upon Israel. The result is declared, and is glorious. "But the LORD will arise OVER YOU, And His glory will be seen UPON YOU. The Gentiles shall come to YOUR light, and kings to the brightness of YOUR rising. Lift up your eyes all around, and see: They all gather together, they come TO YOU; Your sons shall come from afar, And your daughters shall be nursed at your side. Then you shall see and become radiant, And your heart shall swell with joy; Because the abundance of the sea shall be turned TO YOU, The wealth of the Gentiles shall come TO YOU" (Isa 60:2-6).
I am careful to say those in Christ Jesus have already tasted of this benefit. But it shall yet occur on a much larger scale than men have dared to imagine. The prophet Isaiah declared the Father's words to the Son – that the Jewish people were too small to justify the greatness of the salvation that He would effectuate. Therefore, He said that He would give the Son the heathen also. "Indeed He says, 'It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, that You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth" (Isa 49:6, NKJV).
That this is, in fact, what is being shown in this chapter is confirmed by verses 6-20. There is a rapid spread of the "everlasting Gospel" (14:6), a collapse of the religious imposter (14:8), Babylon the great, followed by the harvesting of the earth (14:15-16).
The knowledge of the Lord will, indeed, cover the earth as the waters cover the sea (Isa 11:9; Hab 2:14). That effective Gospel initiative will, as I understand it, follow the turning of ungodliness from Jacob. At that time the pretentious and hollow approach of Gentile Christianity will fall to the ground, for it is largely spurious, lacking spiritual power.
HAVING THEIR FATHER'S NAME WRITTEN IN THEIR FOREHEADS
This is where the Jewish remnant had been "sealed" (7:3). When the "bottomless pit" was opened, only those with "the seal of God in their foreheads" were spared (9:4). The language is a symbolic way of saying "partakers of the Divine nature" (2 Pet 1:4). It is another way of saying, "I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people,' and "all shall know me, from the least to the greatest" (Heb 8:10-11).
The Father's name written in the forehead also symbolizes the blessing of the New Covenant, as described in the following words, "I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts" (Heb 8:10). This is a condition where the individual possesses "the mind of Christ" (1 Cor 2:16), and is transformed by the renewing of the mind (Rom 12:2). Although the reality of this experience is debated among Bible students, those who dwell "in the secret place of the Most High" (Psa 91:1), know it to be a reality.
Like all who come into Christ, these do not merely have the mark of Satan removed. They also have the mark of the Father inscribed. They not only cease to be like the devil and do his will, they begin to be like God and do His will. This is transformation or regeneration, and it is the unique thing about the New Covenant.
When we see a body of people "with the Lamb" on "Mount Zion," with the name of Christ's Father written in their "forehead," we are witnessing the effects of "receiving the atonement," or reconciliation (Rom 5:11). This is regeneration, and there is no salvation without it! It is what is glaringly absent in the nominal church, thereby betraying its dead condition. It is not possible to be saved without being with the Lamb, in Mount Zion, with His Father's name written upon our foreheads. Our text confirms Israel will also be brought into that blessed state. We should not think this too difficult for God to accomplish. After all, He did make us believing Gentiles, who were not a people, the people of God, and the sheep of His pasture.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for the prospect of Your ancient people being restored, and powerless religion falling to the ground.